Page 67 of Inseparable
“My girl always looks hot,” Cody says, without taking his eyes off the game.
Mariah leans in, kissing his cheek. “And my man’s sexy as fuck.”
A few of our friends arrive then, and we move over to the corner to chat. “Tyler Cooper is totally eye-fucking you right now,” Mariah exclaims at the top of her voice, a little while later, nudging me in the shoulder.
“Oh my God, tell the whole room, why don’t you.”
She sniggers, waggling her brows. “He’s hardly disguising it. Look.”
She starts pointing her finger in his direction, but I slap it back down. “Stop it,” I hiss. “I told you I’m not interested.”
“Okay, you need to chill out. Come on.” She yanks on my elbow. “Let’s hit the dance floor.” The rest of our group follows, and we make our way to the middle of the dancing crowd. My heart pounds in tune with the sultry beat as I let loose, swaying my hips and letting the music take control.
Prickles of awareness ghost over my skin, and I look around, scanning the room. Tyler is with a couple of his buddies, lounging against the side wall, his eyes fixated on me. His lips curve up when he spots me watching, and he blows me a kiss. How cheesy. I feel like gagging. A firm prod in my back almost sends me flying. “What the heck?” I turn and glare at the girls, wondering which one of them thinks she’s being helpful.
Mariah looks over my shoulder and grins. “He’s coming over.”
My head whips around, and I groan, slamming a hand to my forehead.
Mariah looks sideways and gasps, her eyes popping wide. “Holy shit!” she cusses. “I don’t believe it.” Before I can question her or see what’s captured her attention, Tyler lands in front of me, blocking my view. “You’re Angelina, right?” He blasts me with a devastating smile.
“Yes, and you’re Tyler.”
His grin expands. “You’ve heard of me.”
Hard not to notice when his eyes seem to follow me everywhere these days. He’s watched me from a distance the last few times we’ve been at the frat, but this is the first time he’s plucked up the courage to approach me. I’ve noticed him leaving every other party with a different girl on his arm, and even without the Ayden complication, I’ve no desire to be another notch on his bedpost.
“Would you like to dance or get a drink or even get out of here?” He turns his hand palm up in invitation, his eyes glinting suggestively.
I tuck my hair behind my ears, preparing to put Tyler firmly back in his box. “Actually, I—”
“She’s spoken for.” The deep masculine voice is low, the tone suffused with warning. Everything goes on high alert inside me. A warm hand lands on my arm, sending delicious tingles over my skin, and my knees buckle underneath me. His arm encircles my waist from behind, helping steady me. My lower lip is wobbling, and my heart is thudding wildly in my chest. Butterflies swarm my stomach, and every limb in my body is shaking uncontrollably.
“Who the fuck are you?” Tyler demands to know, his cocky, confident swagger replaced by a look of displeasure.
“Someone you don’t want to cross” is the reply.
I’m almost afraid to turn around, but that sentiment clashes with the surge of exhilaration replacing the blood flowing through my veins. I twist around, looking up, and our eyes meet. The room fades away as I stare into his crystal-clear sea-green eyes. He rakes his gaze over me from head to toe, and his eyes shine with a myriad of different emotions. I gasp, tears pumping out of my eyes as he gently cups my cheek. “I’ve missed you, baby doll,” Devin admits, his voice choked. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Dev,” I whisper, clinging to his shirt, leaning into him to make sure he’s real. His arms wrap firmly around my lower back, and his hold is the only thing keeping me upright in the moment. Mariah has her hand over her mouth, and her eyes are bugging out of her head. My hands creep around Devin’s neck, and I press desperately against him. I’m afraid if I let go, that I’ll wake up. That it’ll all have been a dream. “You’re here,” I stupidly say.
He nods, drilling into my eyes in that intense way of his, and I get lost in the hypnotic lull of his gaze. He looks so good. His hair is shorn really tight at the sides and the back but still longer on top. Strands fall forward into his gorgeous eyes, framed by the ever-present thick jet-black lashes. His skin is smooth and flawless, his lips full and pink, and he radiates health. “How are you here?” I ask, trailing my fingers across the hair at the back of his neck.
He strengthens his grip on my back. “It’s a long story.” Glancing up, he notices the curious faces surrounding us. Tyler and his crew have disappeared, thank God. “Can we get out of here? Go somewhere to talk privately?” he asks, taking my hand.
“Sure.” I smile, and his answering smile melts my heart. He squeezes my hand, and my heart is fit to burst.
“Devin, dude. Is that you?” Cody asks, materializing in front of us with shock splayed across his face.
“Hey, man. Good to see ya.” They touch knuckles. “Ange and I are gonna split, but let’s catch up this weekend,” he suggests.
“Cool.” Cody reels Mariah in to his side.
“Hey, Mariah.” Dev greets my friend for the first time. “You look good.”
“Holy shit, Devin. Way to make an entrance.” She grins, leaning in to give him a quick hug. “And you look good, too.”
